Not being able to conceive when you want to is really hard, and not being able to discuss the intensely personal issue with family or friends due to cultural issues can make the situation even more painful.
In her column titled “How Woman Around the World Cope with Infertility,” Karen Springer tells Mamta Jhunjhun Wala’s story. Wala, of Mumbai says, “People ask a woman’s name—and then, ‘How many children do you have?’ When the woman answers ‘none’, […] they don’t know what they can talk to you about.” http://www.newsweek.com/how-women-around-world-cope-infertility-89405 And, self-described “Type A Latina” Annette Prieto-Llopis wrote in a CNN blog that even now it’s “hard to believe that infertility remains a taboo subject especially in the Hispanic community.”
http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/23/opinion-the-unheard-voice-of-infertility-a-latinas-story/.
No matter where you live, for some cultures it is simply not considered appropriate to talk about infertility. The inability to talk about the emotional issue means some “suffer in silence,” and couples facing the situation speak of feeling isolated.
If you’re reading this it’s probably because your biggest motivation is trying to get pregnant when you’ve been unable to. Everyone – family and friends – should be on your side and share your goal, right? After all, if you’re successful, they get a grandchild or niece or nephew. What’s not to love?
If you still want to share information, even though family and friends seem unwilling to engage on the topic, try to offer statements that acknowledge that they may be uncomfortable with the topic. Find the right vocabulary for a common bond: wanting to have a child to add to the family or circle of friends; your desire to confide in them about something so important; and your appreciation for taking the time to listen to you. These are universal expressions and may help transcend conversational roadblocks. If not, you may simply need to find support elsewhere, including support groups. And you can ask your doctor for recommendations.
